ArtROX! Holiday pop-up brings local cheer

ArtROX! Holiday Pop-Up Shop (bottom right photos) at 2201 Washington St., Roxbury features local artists with ready-made or to-order craft items. Artists rotate from week-to week selling felt hats, cotton aprons, glass works, and functional pottery. Check listings for days and hours of operation. Stores will close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24. In top photo, Derek Lumpkins (L) executive director of Discover Roxbury and inspiration behind the ArtROX! Holiday Pop-Up Shop, with “Ray of Sunshine” Dias, a first time Santa. (below, middle right) Ivan Samuels, 42, has been making his “all functional” stoneware pots for the past eight years. (Fran Cronin photos)

The ArtROX! Pop-Up Holiday Shop in the heart of Dudley Square at 2201 Washington St. is a holiday mash-up: Full of good cheer, cool holiday tunes and quality handcrafted goods. It’s all local. And with the items for sale all well-priced, it’s all good.

Inspired by an offer from Madison Park Development Corporation, Discover Roxbury’s Executive Director Derek Lumpkins, 38, has made the most of something that wasn’t.

But on a recent Saturday, a crimson-suited Santa stood outside the pop-up like a beacon of holiday cheer. Extending his hand and a candy cane he said “I’m Ray, ray-of-sunshine Dias.” He had a little un-Santa-like beard, but no matter. True to his character, he was all smiles. It was his first time playing this important role. “I’m having fun,” he winked.

Six weeks before opening for the first time on Nov. 30th, Lumpkins negotiated with Madison Park, insurance agencies and local businesses to hash out details and drum up in-kind donations from local businesses.

During the weeks leading up to the grand opening, Lumpkins and local residents created a space that would be a showcase for a rotating installation of craft vendors. Each vendor gets an 8-by-10 foot space; doors are open Friday through Monday and close Tuesday through Thursday for vendor switch-outs.

The week leading up to Christmas, the pop-up will peak with 25 artists on hand selling their crafts. The store will close Christmas Eve at 2 p.m.

Last year, Lynda Hester was laid off from her job at a software technology company. Rather than pouting, she went home, ordered fabric and “made lemonade,” she said.

She now is full-time at her part-time hobby designing and manufacturing 100 percent cotton aprons and wristlets. When asked how business is, she said smiling, “It’s all good.”